Relapse Leads to Rock Bottom
It’s often said in recovery circles that “relapse is a part of the equation.” For me, it was a brutal reality. Initially, I didn’t want to keep my nose clean and went through the motions while in treatment, biding my time until I could return to my habit. Once I did, my addiction went to another level. Now, after 31 years of being sober, I’ve heard many relapse stories and they all have the same thing in common: It gets worse, not better. The only good part about relapsing is that it also often leads to a rock bottom that triggers the gift of desperation.
When all seems lost, including hope, something like a light switch can get flipped in the addict’s mind. It’s simple: Change or die. For me, it was a life or death issue, prompted by fear of getting clean the hard way -- in jail. But a new feeling took over when I flipped the switch. I felt like I could grasp onto hope as if my life depended on it. I became willing, even eager, to get into treatment and start my own, authentic pursuit of a life worth living. I was desperate and honest with myself which changed everything.
Reflection Questions
Why do you think humility, and honesty, play such critical roles when contemplating recovery?
How would you describe what hope feels like?
What makes relapsing so dangerous?
Have you ever felt near, or at, rock bottom? Record the circumstances surrounding you for future reference.